Deflectable Sheath With Inflatable Balloon for Vascular Occlusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional steerable catheter sheaths lack an inflatable balloon for precise navigation and occlusion in vascular procedures, making them inefficient for targeted device placement and vessel blockage.
Innovation Solution
A steerable intravascular catheter with a deflectable sheath and an inflatable occlusion balloon, controlled by a rotatable actuation assembly and pull-wire mechanism, allowing for precise deflection and occlusion at the distal end, along with a hemostatic valve to minimize blood loss and prevent air embolisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional steerable catheter sheath is used, then the sheath can be steered for device placement, but it lacks an inflatable balloon for precise navigation and occlusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a steerable catheter sheath with an inflatable occlusion balloon into a single integrated device. The balloon is positioned at the distal end of the sheath, allowing the device to perform both steering functions and occlusion functions simultaneously, thereby resolving the contradiction between steerability and occlusion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device enables a single catheter system to perform multiple functions: navigation through vascular structures, precise positioning via balloon inflation, and vessel occlusion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices, addressing the limitation of traditional sheaths that lack occlusion capability.
2Device complexity
If a steerable sheath without balloon is used, then the structure is simpler, but it cannot provide precise placement and occlusion in a single device
Solution Approach 1:
The balloon is nested within or mounted on the distal end of the sheath, with the sheath structure accommodating the balloon in a compact configuration. This nesting arrangement allows precise placement and occlusion functions to be integrated without significantly increasing overall device complexity, as the balloon fits within the existing sheath geometry.
3Measurement precision
If the distal end portion of the sheath is made deflectable for precise navigation, then navigation accuracy improves, but the sheath requires additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The distal end portion of the sheath is designed with deflectable characteristics, allowing it to be dynamically positioned through rotation about its longitudinal axis. This dynamic capability enables precise navigation and engagement with vascular structures while maintaining a relatively simple actuation mechanism compared to fully robotic systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances the efficiency of vascular procedures by enabling precise placement and occlusion, reducing blood loss, and improving navigation through the vascular system, making it easier to perform endovascular treatments like peripheral occlusions.
Implementation Method 1
An inflatable occlusion balloon is positioned on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. The fluid lumen of the elongated sheath is in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon.
Implementation Method 2
The elongated sheath includes a pull-wire lumen radially outward from and parallel to the central lumen. The steerable intravascular catheter can include an elongated pull-wire extending through the pull-wire lumen of the elongated sheath and terminating within the distal end portion of the elongated sheath.
Implementation Method 3
The steerable intravascular catheter includes a hemostatic valve to minimize blood loss and prevent air embolisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A steerable intravascular catheter includes a handle assembly having opposed proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal axis therebetween. An elongated sheath extending from the distal end portion of the handle assembly has opposed proximal and distal end portions, and includes a tubular body wall forming a central lumen for accommodating the introduction of a device and a fluid lumen radially outward from and parallel to the central lumen. The distal end portion of the elongated sheath is deflectable relative to the proximal end portion of the elongated sheath. A rotatable actuation assembly is associated with the handle assembly for controlling deflection of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. An inflatable occlusion balloon is positioned on an outer surface of the distal end portion of the elongated sheath. The fluid lumen of the elongated sheath is in fluid communication with an interior of the balloon.